The Big Blackfoot
A River
Runs Through It,
the book and the movie, have made this legendary river famous. The fabled Big
Blackfoot River has wild Westslope Cutthroat, Bull Trout, browns and rainbows
and is beautiful beyond belief – especially in the Fall. Excellent fly-fishing
opportunities abound in the surrounding area. Float fishing and
wading private waters provide more opportunities than you could fish in a
month. Three distinct mountain ranges are visible throughout the valley. The
surrounding hills are covered with Douglas Fir, Ponderosa, Rocky Mountain
Juniper, Engelmann Spruce and aspen groves.
The
Blackfoot happens to be my favorite river in the Missoula area for a number of
reasons. First, at about an hours drive from Missoula, it generally gets the
least amount of pressure of the Big 4 (Blackfoot, Bitteroot, Clark Fork, and
Rock Creek). The Blackfoot has a Salmon Fly hatch that typically comes off in
late June that is on par with any of the famous MT Salmon Fly hatches
including Rock Creek, the Madison, and the Yellowstone. If you hit this hatch
on the right day, you will see fish come to your fly that rival even the
largest of the Missouri River Browns. Another unique feature of the Blackfoot
is a recovering Bull Trout population. While Bull Trout are protected, and
are never targeted, they start moving upriver to spawn in the Fall and become
very aggressive. It is not uncommon to hook a nice Cutthroat trout and have a
large Bull Trout appear on the scene and try to take the fish off of the end
of your line. Usually, they let go before you get the fish to the net, but it
is always an exciting ordeal.
In an area
continually threatened by gold mining and logging operations, the Blackfoot is
an inspirational story of conservation and restoration. A local conservation
group, the residents of the valley, the State, and several large entities have
taken a comprehensive look at many potentially hazardous practices and
contributed time, expertise, and funds to correct these practices and return
this once jeopardized streambed to the incredible trout fishery it was meant
to be. You are certain to appreciate these efforts as you’re floating in the
bow of a boat casting Sofa Pillows at the bank!
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Riverside Lodging
Call for
information on Multi Day trips hosted riverside on the Blackfoot River.
Cost and Itinerary
- 450.00 per day. This includes flies,
lunch, drinks, and supplies. Based on double occupancy.
- 650.00 per guest per day for a multi day
lodging experience, which puts you riverside for your entire trip.
Productivity
- An average day on the Blackfoot River
would be to hook 6-12 fish – mostly on dry flies. While the fish average about
14” with the majority of them being Westslope Cutthroat, Several larger trout
(which include Cutthroats, but can also be Browns, Bulls, Rainbows, and even the
occasional Brookie) in the 17”+ range are typically landed each day.
Contact Person
Steve Joyce " The
Blackfoot was one of my original home waters, I have spent many nights camped
along its shores and it will always hold a special place in my heart."
Reservations
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